1. The Thinking Hats

2. Problem Solving Thinking about the problem Generating Solutions
Establishing Criteria for evaluating ideas
Using the criteria to evaluate ideas
Ranking your ideas
Trying your idea
Is the problem solved?

3. Problem Solving
Finding solutions to a problem is not a black and white issue
Different people have different ways of solving problems
Lateral Thinking – generating ideas by being flexible and creative
Break away from the standard solutions and think in different ways
Often known as “out of the box” thinking

4. The 6 Thinking Hats

5. The White Hat Gathers facts, figures, and objective information
Emotions are not allowed to interfere
Thinks like a computer – emotions do not interfere

6. The Red Hat Recognizes emotions that will go into decision making
Uses hunches and feelings to generate ideas

7. The Green Hat Practices lateral thinking that includes
Creativity
Alternatives
Proposals
Encourages change

8. The Black Hat Gives judgement to ideas that are proposed
Practices caution
Often presents logical cases against the idea
“Devils Advocate”

9. The Yellow Hat Looks for positive outcomes
The reasons the idea will work
Assesses the benefits of a solution

10. The Blue Hat The facilitator Thinks about the thinking process
Gets the other hats to work together
Works on solving the problem – not the problem itself

11. Activity Get into 6 Groups (groups of 2 or 3)
Your group will be assigned a hat
Your job is to take that role in the problem solving process (situation will follow)
You must come up with arguments/questions that this type of thinker may have
Complete the handout – how does this thinking help start running a business
We will go around the class to the different groups to complete all the hats
Last Question: What type of thinker are you?

12. Situation
You have always been an excellent student in fine art subjects but have not excelled in other academic areas. Even your hobbies involve participation in the fine arts.
However, you have been doing some research into labour market information and are unsure of the realities of making a living in the fine arts. Although the thought of choosing an alternative career path does not seem authentic, you are wondering if doing so is more realistic in today’s job market.
What should you do?